Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić on an official visit on October 15th. The central topics of the talks were the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, succession issues and Serbia’s progress on its way to the European Union.
“Slovenes and Serbs have a lot in common,” Minister Fajon emphasized after her talks with Minister Đurić and reminded of individual exceptional Slovenians who are and still are co-creating life in Serbian society. “History has shown that we have always been able to overcome possible disagreements and that our friendly relations have a sufficiently solid foundation. The cooperation between Slovenia and Serbia is very dynamic and diverse. Our economic cooperation has a positive trend. Trade in goods already exceeds 2 billion euros, in Serbia there are around 1,500 Slovenian companies that employ over 25,000 workers. We agreed with the Serbian minister to strengthen political consultations and hold a joint government meeting, and we also talked about organizing an investment forum and strengthening scientific cooperation,” she added.
The two ministers devoted part of their talks to bringing Serbia closer to the European Union. “Slovenia is a big supporter of EU expansion to the Western Balkans and the East. Now is a suitable geostrategic moment to speed up expansion. We support Serbia’s efforts on this path and the opening of Section 3 (competition) under the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council. I hope that this year we will see a positive a step on Serbia’s path to the European Union,” Minister Fajon said. Slovenia strongly supports Serbia’s efforts to join the European Union and wants real progress in the implementation of reforms, which are a condition on the way to membership. In doing so, the minister particularly emphasized the area of the rule of law, the gradual adaptation of foreign policy to the EU’s common foreign and security policy, and the normalization of relations with Kosovo.
The two ministers also agreed on the importance and weight of the portfolio for the enlargement of the European Union, which is assigned to Slovenia within the framework of the new European Commission.
They also talked about the open questions of succession after the former Yugoslavia. Minister Fajon urged that twenty years after the entry into force of the Agreement on Succession Issues, the time has come to bring this issue to a successful conclusion. “Regular dialogue of high representatives for succession and regular meetings of joint committees according to individual annexes of the agreement are key to actively resolving open succession issues,” emphasized Fajon. She and Minister Đurić also exchanged views on the solution of specific succession issues in the field of cultural heritage and archives.
The resolution of the long-standing issue of normalization of relations with Kosovo is crucial for the stability and progress of the Western Balkans. As Minister Fajon said, Slovenia is committed to continuing the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština. “We are monitoring the situation in the north of Kosovo with concern and call for a calming of the situation and the implementation of all agreements within the framework of the dialogue,” emphasized Minister Fajon.
During their talks, the two ministers also touched on the issue of migration, especially the situation on the Western Balkan routes. Minister Fajon welcomed the fact that Serbia signed an agreement with Frontex, which is crucial for the fight against irregular migration.
On the sidelines of the meeting with the Serbian minister, Minister Fajon reiterated that Slovenia strongly condemns Russian aggression in Ukraine, that Slovenia will continue to help Ukraine as long as necessary, and that Slovenia supports a lasting and just peace in Ukraine.
Regarding the conflict in the Middle East, Minister Fajon strongly condemned again the Israeli attack on the UNIFIL mission, called for the tightening of sanctions against Israel, an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and the realization of a two-state solution, including the recognition of Palestine.